College reunion, birthdays & a gig

The main reason for our quick return visit was to attend a Bingley College of Education Reunion.

There were only two from my year group but I knew quite a few other people.

Friday night was disco night in the Students Union & Maggie May was a firm favourite in my era!

I met a former colleague of our friend Les and took the opportunity of sharing this photo with her.

Whilst back 'home' it was great to help Philippe celebrate his birthday.

Phil with Tracks boss Lucy who shares the same birthday (even the same year), a perfect excuse for a party.

We drove back to our château on the moors so missed this impromptu gig session with Betty & Alfie...

...and Betty's 'show' complete with backing dancers (Jade & Luka)

We even managed a gig with Philippe backing his friend Harri

Visitors at the caravan

Betty came to stay for a couple of days whilst Alfie was on a football weekend.

Here showing off her playpark skills...

...getting to know the alpaca statues in Roberts Park...

...or enjoying a treat at the caravan.

Other visitors had four legs each...

...a herd of sheep 'terrorising' 🤣 the caravan park, jumping over the wall. The poor farmer must have walked miles every day rounding them up!

Sometimes it's good to be just the two of us though, especially over a picnic lunch.

Arrival in Sheffield & curry nights with Steve

Our journey up north this time was horrendous so when we found out the M1 was blocked north of Sheffield we sent out an emergency call to Philippe.

And here we are showing Phil that we had arrived chez lui.

Phil had nearly finished working so we went for a stroll near-by...

...spotting these two examples of wall art.

Later we visited Jade's allotment...

...and more importantly, a local pub.

Next day after a very welcome sleepover at Phil's we drove up to the caravan and soon were enjoying a curry at Peacocks with old friend Steve.

Posing as always, with a pint...

...showing us the new extension at the curry house...

...or his new t-shirt, designed by James, who we've known since he was a varicose vein. (You'll have to ask his Mum about that!)

Another night Matt's mate Martin was showing off his new Meta/Ray-Ban glasses that can take photos too!

Saint Malo (again)

Yes, we did two trips to the UK in fairly quick succession. This time we had time to explore a bit more of Saint Malo.

After parking up we walked anti-clockwise round the old walled town...

...then onto the beach.

Look at those groins. I wonder how efficient they are nowadays?

Him'n'her in selfie mode

Back through the old town...

...it's hard to believe it was practically destroyed in WWII.

There's our ferry waiting for us.

A couple of sunsets to finish...

...as we sail away to Portsmouth.

Stormy weather & a splash of colour

Another mixed bag for your delights.

We call these the soldiers as they seem to be standing to attention from a distance. Heavy seas have destroyed yet another one recently. We wonder if they're groins or remnants of an old jetty.

A few posts ago I shared a photo of very menacing weather on the way to Angles.

These three were taken walking to l'Équipage to meet friends for a drink.

The heavens opened whilst we were there but I got home as dry as a bone!

Finally our floral plantations to the side of the house.

A lovely splash of colour.

Embarcadère de la Maison du Marais

We were only back in France for a short while and one day we went for a walk round the waterways near Longeville-sur-Mer.

In the past these were all marshlands...

...now drained with many waterways to take the water (eventually) to the sea.

You can see what time of year it was from the beautiful display of wild iris.

The wheat-fields looked very healthy...

...as did this pretty field of flax.

Goodbye England (but not for long)!

A swift next post to apologise for the delay last time!

We decided to drive down to the Portsmouth waterfront as we had a bit of free time before boarding the ferry.

We came across the very impressive HMS Warrior, built in 1860 and beautifully restored in the 1980s

Alongside, a trawler back from its fishing expedition.

You can read about mudlarking on this information panel...

...and here's the wonderful statue remembering the children who 'played' here.

After a good night's sleep it's breakfast time on the ferry as we near Saint Malo.

Bradford Science & Media Museum

An old favourite of ours when we lived in the Bradford area, the Science & Media Museum has gone through many changes. The day we visited several exhibitions were under preparation but we loved what we saw.

Fun in the mirror maze.

I'm sure you can spot Papy, Mamie & Alfie as well as Betty of course.

There were many interactive displays, this one 'bending' Alfie & Betty.

Oops, we can't remember what this one was!

Here Alfie is blowing air to the Tree of Life

More digital magic...

...distorting Alfie & Betty's faces.

You can guess whose hand is whose here. It's good to see how warm-blooded we are.